Campsites, cultural venues, cellar doors, heritages sites and other tourism attractions and destinations will be given a boost with the Australian Government announcing $8.5 million today in TQUAL tourism grants to 117 projects across Australia.
Announcing the TQUAL Grants: Tourism Quality Projects at Majura Winery in Canberra today, Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP said the grants will help to lift the quality and variety of Australia’s tourism experiences.
“Most of the grants are in regional Australia where tourism is an important economic driver – in fact 46 cents of every tourism dollar is spent in regional Australia,” Minister Ferguson said.
“The challenge for regional tourism destinations is in attracting increasingly time poor visitors out of the gateway cities. These grants will help better position those businesses and organisations who are looking to expand, modify or diversify their product or service to be even more appealing for city dwellers and international visitors.
“As a part of the National Long Term Tourism Strategy, the TQUAL Grants help address the lack of investment in tourism which is more pronounced in regional Australia.
“By providing matching funding to investors, the Australian Government is not only seeking to address the market failure but support the almost one million Australians directly and indirectly employed in the $34 billion tourism industry.”
The Minister Assisting on Tourism, Senator Nick Sherry, said TQUAL Grants: Tourism Quality Projects gave travellers more reasons to see even more of Australia.
“People will keep coming back if they know they’re getting better and fresher attractions, products and services,” Senator Sherry said.
“TQUAL Grants create greater incentive for tourism operators to invest and that’s especially important in regional economies.
“New investment in just one tourism project can generate flow-on benefits to thousands of small businesses, whether they’re directly involved in the industry or part of the wider business community.
“This latest $8.5 million Government funding boost is in effect at least $17 million when the required dollar-for-dollar matching investment from tourism operators is taken into account,” Minister Sherry said.
Organisation | Project Description | Grant | |
Viva Investments | Refurbishment of the ‘The Entrance Backpackers’ accommodation located in The Entrance Town Centre. The Entrance Backpackers will bring a new level of budget accommodation to the area, filling a current void in the market. The Entrance Backpackers will bring substantial economic benefit to the local region and boost international visitor numbers. | $110,000 | |
Four Winds Vineyard Services | Construction of a cellar door building at the Four Winds Vineyard near Murrumbateman. Utilising innovative green construction and operating practices to create a sustainable attraction, the project will meet the need of the growing number of visitors demanding sustainable tourist attractions in the area. | $110,000 | |
The Big Banana | Upgrade to the infrastructure, amenities and guest experience of the Water Park attraction based within the Big Banana Tourism Complex at Coffs Harbour. It is envisaged the upgrade will further establish the Big Banana as a destination showcase and assist with increasing visitation to the region by providing a more diverse modern tourist attraction. | $110,000 |